Weeks after UN vote, India seeks Israel missile deal

A fortnight after India voted for a UNHRC resolution against Tel Aviv on its Gaza offensive, the Modi government is moving the cabinet committee on security (CCS) to buy 262 Barak-I anti-ship missile systems and spares, costing nearly Rs. 1,000 crore, from Israel.

The purchase was cleared by defence acquisition council under then defence minister AK Antony last December.

South Block sources said the CCS note was moved this week for the purchase of the missiles from Israeli Aircraft Industries and Rafael Advanced Systems of Israel. Both firms were probed by the CBI in 2006 for a Rs. 1,100 crore missile deal in 2000 under the previous NDA regime and were black-listed by the UPA regime.

However, the ban on purchase of Barak missiles was lifted by Antony after the Navy raised a hue and cry about protection of its warships from anti-ship missiles.

“India needs Barak missiles to arm its aircraft carriers and front-line warships against strike aircraft and anti-ship missiles. The Barak will be fitted on at least 14 Indian warships and the newly acquired Vikramaditya,” said a South Block official.